Racing Aircraft of the early Years.

Well;

     Seems, even back then folks wanted to go faster than the other guy. So someone said lets race, no holds barred! There were planes that vied for the honor that were even float planes! What always amazed me was how little Plane( Gee Bee) that seemed to be required at times.

     I used to think that if one could have done it they would've stuck a seat on the back of the crankcase and added enough wing and tail to get it to fly. I would think that many folks thought that the radial was king, But many of these racers were fitted with Inline 6-8-12-0r 24 cylinder in line engines as well

     Either way those little or just plain lightweight aircraft had to deal with a LOT of sheer weight from the Power-Plant. I saw one in a museum and wondered the same thing. How the heck did the pilot fit in there? Come to find out, like The Gee Bee they entered the plane from underneath and only their head was in the canopy area. Scary for sure.

       Can you imagine the Adrenaline rush for the pilots, as all the horsepower was let out by open throttles and the roar and smell of those mechanical Steeds took to the air? It must've been an amazing sight for sure! I still have bad dreams about the planes like the Wright flyer and the De Woitine!

     Imagine if you will-All that power and couldn't even see the ground, much less the Rest of the plane? The Term Dare-Devils certainly fit in those days.